With Edmonton Oilers defenceman Ryan Stanton’s broken foot, the scramble for the No. 7 job is now down to Yohann Auvitu, signed in the summer to a one-year, one-way contract after playing 25 games last year in New Jersey, and veteran Mark Fayne.

Stanton was hurt blocking a shot in Winnipeg a week ago, the only game he’s played. With his absence, that leaves Auvitu and Fayne as the only extra defencemen. Neither Auvitu, who will be in the Oilers’ lineup on Wednesday in Saskatoon against Carolina Hurricanes, nor Fayne has wowed the Oilers coaching staff.

Auvitu can move the puck and skate, but there are some questions about how he’ll do physically. Fayne is game but the pace of his skating has been a concern for the coaches. With young Dillon Simpson clearing waivers and on his way to Bakersfield, the No. 7 job is clearly up in the air.

If neither Auvitu nor Fayne shows enough, it opens the door for a possible waiver claim or trade before the start of the season. Auvitu will play with Adam Larsson against the ‘Canes; Fayne’s not going to Saskatoon.

The Vegas Golden Knights have nine NHL defenceman right now, along with ex-Oilers Griffin Reinhart and Brad Hunt, who leads them in pre-season points with six in three games. So that’s the crowded roster every other team is looking at if they need a blueliner. Chicago also has Cody Franson on a tryout right now.

The Oilers would want a cheap pickup from Vegas, preferably a player on the last year of their contract as well, with Andrej Sekera out until December or January. Most logical names on the Vegas roster are ex-Boston Bruin Colin Miller, a right-hand shot, or former New Jersey Devils defender Jon Merrill, a lefty, each making in the US$1-million range.

Meanwhile, winger Anton Slepyshev is practising with the team after he sprained his ankle in an off-season workout, but he didn’t travel to Saskatoon, and it’s unclear if the top 9 winger will even be ready for the last exhibition game in Vancouver on Saturday. It’s looking like he could start the season on injured reserve, which would open a spot for either Kailer Yamamoto or Jesse Puljujarvi as a top 9 winger.

Yamamoto, who leads the NHL with five pre-season goals and is tied for the points high with six with Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Jake Guentzel, Drew Stafford, Brock Boeser and Hunt— is again playing on a line with Connor McDavid and Patrick Maroon.

Puljujarvi, who has to show something to the coaches after just one good pre-season game, will be on right-wing with Leon Draisaitl and Milan Lucic in Saskatoon. One thing the Finnish teenager can’t complain about: he’s had good centres throughout camp — first Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, then a taste of McDavid, now Draisaitl. He’s getting a fair shot, but the coaches want to see more initiating and less reacting because his feet aren’t moving enough. If his play doesn’t pick up, he very well could open the season in Bakersfield.

Stanton figured strongly for the No. 7 job after signing a two-way, two-year deal this summer because he’s played more than 100 NHL games, but he’s hurt.

“He went for an MRI and they found a crack. He’s out for awhile,” said head coach Todd McLellan. “Slep can skate with his injury but there’s not a lot of wresting, pushing and shoving he can do. He’ll have to strengthen that up.

“Unfortunately we’re not seeing Stanton nor Slepyshev up and running. Doesn’t help us or them as individuals.”

McLellan will also try Ryan Strome in the middle rather than on right-wing for the game in Saskatoon, giving Mark Letestu a night off.

(Stanton)went for an MRI and they found a crack. Heu2019s out for awhile

Todd McLellan

It’s a homecoming for Eric Gryba, who is from Saskatoon.

“I’m sure the sweater sales (there) will be great,” said McLellan.

McLellan wants to see last year’s version of defenceman Matthew Benning, too, after a lukewarm pre-season.

Kelly, on a tryout, will get his fifth game of pre-season.

“He’s done everything he can. He brings a lot of things to the table,” said McLellan. “He’s mature, he’s comfortable with the league and understands its intensity and it’s length, smart penalty-killer. Lots of assets, but the question is can he push somebody out on a regular basis, not a temporary one.”

Malone, signed to a two-way, two-year deal in the summer, is also dressing for his fifth game. “He’s reassured us that he brings to the table what we thought when we signed him. He plays hard, and maybe he’ll have to adjust to the penalty calls because he brings a tenacity, and that leads to a few stick infractions, but I’d rather tame that than have to prod an individual,” said McLellan.

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